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Bangor

Coats for Kids

The year 2004 marks 15 years for the Coats for Kids campaign and six years for Coats for Kids Day.

At the request of The Salvation Army, a new facet was added this year, transforming the successful annual blitz into Coats & Toys for Kids Day. With seven locations statewide, WLBZ 2 (Bangor) and WCSH 6 (Portland) broadcast live programs in the morning and afternoon.

News Center personalities invited viewers to donate new and gently used coats and new toys. Maine people came through – more than 8,000 coats and more than 3,000 toys are now available to keep Maine children warm and merry. Coat and toy distribution will be made possible by The Salvation Army.

Coats for Kids continues through Dec. 31. Coats may be dropped off at any Shaw’s or Hannaford Supermarket statewide. Coats for Kids charitable giving campaign is made possible through a partnership of many area organizations and businesses, including The Salvation Army, Pratt-Abbott Cleaners, Hannaford Supermarkets, Shaw’s Supermarkets, Pepsi, WLBZ 2, and WCSH 6. Coats & Toys for Kids Day is supported by the Maine Oil Dealers Association.

Candle safety tips

BANGOR – The Bangor Fire Department has put together these safety tips for those who burn candles in their homes during the holidays:

. Extinguish candles when leaving the room or when going to bed.

. Keep candles away from combustible materials such as clothing, curtains, books and papers.

. Use only candle holders that won’t burn and make sure the holder is large enough to catch dripping wax.

. Don’t place candles where children or pets may knock them over.

. Avoid candles with combustible materials embedded in them.

. Never carry a lit candle.

. Extinguish taper and pillar candles when they burn within two inches of the holder, and votive and container candles before the last half-inch of wax begins to melt.

The leading causes of candle fires are candles left unattended, candles placed too close to combustible materials and children playing with candles. Almost half of all candle fires start in the bedroom.

Candle fires are the third leading cause of fire-related deaths.

To obtain more information about fire safety, call Officer Johnson or Officer Tourtillotte at 942-6335.

Homeless outreach

U.S. Cellular was at the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter Dec. 15 with its Homeless Outreach Phone Effort.

Free phone calls, local and toll-free, were provided to homeless people at this holiday time.

“Homeless individuals rarely have the opportunity to communicate with their friends and relatives,” said Michael Andrick, program manager at the shelter. “The U.S. Cellular program enables our clients to reconnect with loved ones during this special holiday season. In some cases, these phone conversations prove to be just the encouragement they need and can lead to a family reunion.”

Advisory board meeting

The Child Development Services advisory board meeting will be held from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, at Bangor Public Library, 145 Harlow St.

Brewer

Photo album classes

The Brewer Parks and Recreation Department will hold family photo album classes 7-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 12-Feb. 2 at Brewer Auditorium. The class is a great way to turn photos into treasured family heirlooms for future generations.

Participants will learn how to organize and preserve photos, give information on photo-safe materials, and give creative tips such as cropping and album page layout ideas. Class time is designed to allow participants to work on their projects with the instructor and materials.

The fee for returning participants is $20 for Brewer residents, $24 for others. New participants will be provided a starter pack and are asked to arrive at 6:30 p.m. for an introduction. New participant fees are $25 for Brewer residents, $29 for others.

For information or registration, call Brewer Parks and Recreation at 989-5199.

Kiwanis news

The Brewer Kiwanis Club recently helped The Salvation Army raise funds by participating in the agency’s annual bell ringing campaign. Members who participated were Patricia Largay, Charles Fisher, Art Monk, Bill Newberry, Deanna Gagner, Wes Archer, Carlton King, Herb Hopkins and Keyclubbers Libby Shepard and Jackie Files with their adviser, Mike Hutchins.

The service relationship between The Salvation Army and the Kiwanis Club is nearly as old as Kiwanis, which has supported The Salvation Army since 1918.

Kiwanis International will celebrate its 90th year Jan. 21.

At a recent board of directors meeting, Deborah Sykes and Elena Sykes were admitted to the club as its newest members.

Plans are being made for the Kiwanis annual children’s Christmas party to be held Dec. 22. Kim Hopkins and Manly DeBeck are co-chairs of the project. The Brewer Garden Club donated funds to help buy gifts for the children.

The Brewer Kiwanis meets at 6 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, at the Muddy Rudder restaurant, with the exception of the Dec. 22 meeting which will be held at Brewer Auditorium. To learn more about the organization or to join, call President Bill Newberry at 945-0746, or attend a meeting.

Newburgh

Outstanding tree farmers

Len and Nancy Price, owners of Nutkin Knoll Farm in Newburgh, have been chosen by the Maine Tree Farm Committee as Maine’s Outstanding Tree Farmers for 2005. The 75-acre farm includes a Christmas tree plantation and a sugar bush.

Each year, the Prices replace the Christmas trees they have sold by planting 1,000 seedlings.

In the sugar bush they put out 600 taps in the spring and conduct tree thinning for expansion. In an effort to produce more sugar maples, they broadcast-seeded five acres. Other management practices on the farm include pruning ash and oak trees, boundary line work, access road and trail improvement, and soil stabilization work.

The Prices are teachers who organize an annual school group tour of the tree farm. Len, a science teacher, uses the farm as an outdoor classroom. The Prices also are involved in 4-H forestry, and participate in Maine Audubon’s vernal pool project. The farm is a National Community Forestry Center demonstration site.

Nutkin Knoll is the second Maine Outstanding Tree Farm honoree within the last five years. Consultant forester Izzy McKay nominated the farm for the award.

Orrington

Youth worship service

The East Orrington Congregational Church offers a youth service, Worship Our Way, featuring the Modern Day Jeremiah Praise Band, 6-7 p.m. Sundays at 38 Johnson Mill Road.

After the service, there will be a time of light refreshments and fellowship in Carlson Hall. For information, call the church office at 825-3404.

Stetson

Stetson news items

The Stetson Town Office will be closed Dec. 17, Dec. 24 and Jan. 17.

The lock at the meetinghouse basement has been changed. The key is available at the town office. Anyone who has reserved the meetinghouse needs to come to the town office during business hours to sign out a key.

The USDA Rural Development Housing Program has funds available for low-income loans. To see if you qualify, call the town office or Robert Cross at 990-3676. More details are available at www.rurdev.

usda.gov/me.

All dogs need to be licensed by Jan. 31 to avoid a late charge.

Home sign program

The town, in partnership with Penobscot County Triad, the Stetson Fire Department and the Penobscot County Jail inmate work program, is offering a low-cost home sign program.

The signs are 6 inches by 8 inches, with four-inch reflective letters on an aluminum back.

The primary kit of two single-sided signs is $10, while single signs are available for $7.50 with post and bolt, or $4 for direct mounting on the home.

The system has been designed to meet all 911 standards. For an order form, call or visit the Stetson Town Office.

Christmas party

Kids up to fifth grade, accompanied by an adult, are invited to the annual Stetson Christmas party. The event will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 18, at the meetinghouse.

Activities will include a holiday craft, decorating the Christmas tree, snacks, singing Christmas carols, and a visit by Santa and his elves with presents.

For information, call Lester at 296-2236.